Light gun



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LIGHT GUN Filed June 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheefl l fm2/@zwar JZz/a J.' Cel/re? Samb Rom? ELLUMHMHUN,

A. J. CARTER ay 31, 1193se LIGHT GUN Filed June 15, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4 2? T7 El inf I?? Vefezor MUZ/QJ' Caffe?" I @unimi-i 1 new,

Patented May 31, 1938 UNITED STATES Search linen PATENT OFFICE LIGHT GUN poration of Oklahoma Application June 15, 1936, Serial No. 85,246

12 Claims.

My invention relates to an improvement in electric target rifles of the type employed with structures having photo-sensitive targets.

One purpose is the provision of a gun adapted to shoot a brief flash of light.

Another purpose is the provision of a gun in which an electric light source is employed which is masked by a shutter.

Another purpose is the provision of improved means for actuating the masking shutter of such a gun.

Other purposes will appear from time to time in the course of the specification and claims.

I illustrate my invention more or less diagrammatically in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device as a whole;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical section through a portion of the gun mechanism;

Figure 3 is a similar section with the parts in different position;

Figure 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a section on the line 5--5 of Figure 2.

Like symbols indicate like parts throughout the specication and drawings.

Referring first to Figure 1, A generally indicates the target housing or cabinet; B indicates the firing stand; and C indicates generally the gun structure. It will be understood that any suitable conductive connections are employed, which extend between the cabinet and the firing stand and the gun. It will be understood that these Various connections are carried in flexible conduits or cables, one such cable D connecting the cabinet A with the gun stand B, and a second E, connecting the gun stand B and the gun C.

Referring to the operative parts of 'the device, and considering first the cabinet structure, generally indicated as at A, I illustrate an outer housing I, details of which do not form part of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that either an open space or a transparent window 2 is employed. To the rear of this window is any suitable scenic foreground indicated as 3, an upper portion of which is generally arcuate to conform to the path of the target structures below described. I6 indicates any suitable target drop, apertured as at I8, any suitable photosensitive member being positioned behind the aperture.

It will be understood that in the operation of the device, the aperture I8 is generally horizontally alined with a photo-sensitive member whereby the user, employing a light projecting gun, can sight through the aperture I8 and hit the said member with a flash of light.

Referring to the gun structure as shown in Figures 2 to 5, I may employ any suitable gun stock generally indicated as having a barrel 5I and sights 52. Mounted in the barrel, preferably at the rear end thereof, is an incandescent lamp 53. In circuit with the lamp is a mercury controlled switch generally indicated as 54. Any suitable lens or lenses may be employed to direct a relatively restricted light beam from the gun. I illustrate only one, but more may be employed if necessary. 56 illustrates a trigger pivoted as at 51 and having an inward extension 58 within the gun. Pivoted to this inward extension is a stem 59 passing through a bearing 68 which is apertured as at 6I to permit tilting as well as longitudinal movement of the stem 59 in relation thereto. 62 is a head or knob of insulating material at the inner end of the rod 59. Pivoted as at 63 to the member 58 is the dog 64 which is normally held in raised position as by the spring 65, which causes the end piece 66 to rest against an opposed abutment face 61 of the member 64. In other Words, in relation to its position in Figure 3, it can tilt in only one direction, namely in clockwise direction.

Connecting the member 58 with the gun stock, I illustrate a spring 68, secured at one end to an abutment 89 and secured at the other end to the member 58. As a matter of convenience it is shown as secured eccentrically with the member 64, although this is not ordinarily necessary.

Positioned above the trigger structure thus described and mounted between two bearing members 'III and 'II, is a longitudinally movable stern or rod 'I2 provided with a cone-shaped portion I3 intermediate its ends. Its outer end passes through a bearing bracket 'Id which is provided with an elongated slot 15, to permit tilting of the member 'I2 between the full and dotted line positions of Figure 3. A spring 'I6 tends normally to return the member 'l2 to the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 2, against a stop TI, shown in that gure. With it may be associated, for example, any suitable supporting bracket I8 upon which the pins or members IIJ, 'II are mounted. The spring 'I6 is secured at its opposite end, as at 19, at a point above the axis of the member 12, whereby it tends to move it into generally horizontal position, for example, the full line position in which it is shown in Figure 3.

A xed pin or abutment may, if necessary, also be employed, and is shown for example in Figures 2, 3 and 5. It may be employed to cause the member 12 to tilt upwardly into the dotted line position in which it is shown in Figure 3, in response to movement of the member 12 to the right, referring to the position of the parts in which they are shown in Figure 3. This is to clear the member 13 from the dog 64 at a predetermined point in the forward movement of the member 12 whereby it is released from the dog and can be snapped back into its initial position by the spring 16.

Pivoted in the aperture 85 in the bottom of the barrel, which may be formed by bending out portions of the barrel as at 86, is a shutter 81. Its pivot is indicated as at 88. Any suitable coil spring 89 is employed, and in Figure 4 one is shown at each side of the shutter, for moving the shutter normally into the closed position in which it is shown in Figure 2. Associated with the shutter is a trip member 99 also pivoted at 88. It is in engagement at one end, as at 9|, with the upper side of the shutter 31. The lower end 92 projects downwardly through the aperture in the barrel Ainto alinernent with the member 13'. A spring 93 tends normally to hold it in engagement with the shutter 61 but the spring 93 is of insufficient force to resist the coil spring 89.

It will be understood that when the parts are in the position in which they are sho-wn in Figure 2, the light source is masked by the shutter 81. When the riile is in generally horizontal position, the mercury switch 54 is adapted to close the actuating circuit for the lamp 53, the details of which circuit will later be described. Then, when the operator pulls the trigger 56, one result is to thrust the member 12 forward, in response to the engagement between it and the dog 64, as shown in Figure 2. As the thrust continues, in response to the rotation of the trigger in the normal trigger pull, the member engages the cone 13 and tilts the right hand end of the member 12 upwardly, permitting the dog 64 to clear it. 'I'his permits the spring 16 to draw the member 12 back to its initial position against the stop 11.

In the forward movement of the member 12, the upper portion of the cone 13 engages the lower end 92 of the member 80 and swings it about the pivot 88, without disturbing the position of the shutter 81. After the lower end 92 has cleared the cone 13, the spring 93 returns the trip member 9|] to its normal position illustrated in Figure 2. After the cone 13 is released from the member 92, and when the spring 16 draws the member 12 back, after it has cleared the dog 64, the upper edge of the cone then strikes the opposite side of the lower edge 92 of the member 99 and moves the shutter 81 into the open position in which it is shown in Figure 3. It keeps this position only for an instant, because the member 13 promptly clears the lower edge of the member 92, and permits the shutter 81 to snap quickly back into position in response to the movement of the springs 89. Thereafter the spring 68 returns the trigger to its initial position and the dog 64 clears the lower edge of the cone 13 and resumes the position in which it is shown in Figure 2, in response to action of the spring 65, and the parts are ready for the next trigger pull.

The trigger pull has an additional function, namely that of closing the gun switch which includes the opposed switch spring contacts |80 and |00a. This result is obtained by the engagement of the knob 62 with the outer @mi Of the leaf |00, as shown in Figure 3, the knob 62 being of insulating material. The switch contact leaves |00 and Ilma` are mounted in any block of suitable insulating material Iill, mounted in the gun stock as shown in Figures 2 and 3.

Note that all the movable parts above described, except the shutter structure, are mounted on a single removable plate |02. I illustrate an upstanding base portion |93 as shown in Figure 4. The parts |92 and |93 can be bodily and unitarily removed from the gun stock forrepair or inspection.

It will be realized that, whereas I have described and illustrated a practical and operative device, nevertheless many changes may be made in the size, shape, number and disposition of parts without departing from the spirit of my invention. I therefore wish my description and drawings to be taken as in a broad sense illustrative or diagrammatic, rather than as limiting me to the precise showing.

Taking my invention broadly, I have invented a gun for shooting a flash of light which is ei'ective for use for example with photo-sensitive targets, one of which is diagrammatically shown in Figure 1 The result of a trigger pull is to cause the shutter 81 or its equivalent to be moved very briefly from the masking position in which it is shown for example in Figure 2. When it is moved the light source 53 directs a beam outwardly along the gun barrel, for example through the lens 55. The parts are preferably so set and timed that the flash of light thus permitted is practically instantaneous and of such short duration as to prevent correction of aim on the part of the operator after the trigger has been pulled. A further function of the trigger pull is the closing of the trigger switch |09, Mla, which may have a function in connection with the operation of the device as where, in a coin operated machine, a limited number of trigger pulls may be permitted f-or the insertion oi a single coin. However, since such circuit and control does not of itself form part of the present invention it is not here indicated in detail.

I claim:

1. In a marksmanship device, a gun having sights, a barrel and a trigger, a light source in sai-d barrel, a shutter in front of the light source, and means for operating it in response to the pull of the trigger, for projecting a ash of light through the barrel, said shutter being hinged along one edge, abutment means for said shutter adapted, when it is in closed position, to hold it inclined with respect to the longitudinal axis of the gun, and means for normally holding it against said abutment.

2. In a light gun a gun stock, a gun barrel mounted Within the stock, a light source in the rear end of said barrel, a movable shutter normally shielding said light source, a trigger pivotally mounted beneath said shutter, a means responsive to pivotal movement of the trigger for moving the shutter rapidly out of line with the light to project a beam of light through the barrel, and for immediately restoring said shutter to shielding position comprising a movable member positioned between the trigger and shutter, releasable connection means between the trigger and said member for moving said member in one direction when the trigger is actuated, means for moving said member in the opposite direction when released by the trigger, and normally spaced abutment means carried by the shutterand said member operative upon retrograde movement of LLUMINATION,

said member to move the shutter to uncover the light.

3. In a light ray gun, a gun barrel, a light source therein, a movable shutter normally shielding said light source, and means for moving said shutter out of line with said light source to cause a flash of light through said barrel, said means including a member mounted for sliding movement in a path substantially parallel to the axis of the barrel and positioned beneath said shutter, a shoulder on said member movable therewith, a detent associated with the shutter and disposed in the path of movement of said shoul der, means for biasing said member in one direction, trigger means releasably engaging said shoulder for moving said member in the opposite direction and against the action of said biasing means, means for releasing the shoulder upon engagement with the trigger at a predetermined point to be forcibly retracted by said biasing means, said shoulder in its rearward movement engaging the shutter detent to move the shutter clear of said light source, and means for causing disengagement of the shoulder and shutter detent to` permit the shutter to return to shielding position.

4, In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock, a light source arranged to project a beam of light along the interior of the barrel, said barrel being provided with an aperture, a light obstructing shutter movable through said aperture to and from light shielding pesition, a trigger, means for actuating the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger including a movable member, means for biasing said member to a predetermined position, connection means between said member and trigger for moving said member in response to actuation of the trigger. and releasable connection means between said member and the shutter effective in response to retrograde movement of said member under the influence of said biasing means. to operate the shutter to project a flash of light along the barrel.

5. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock. a source of light arranged to project a beam of light along the interior of the barrel, said barrel being provided with an aperture in advance of said light source, a shutter mounted within said barrel and movable to and from light shielding position, a trigger mechanism and means for moving the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger comprising a movable member. means for biasing said member in predetermined position, connection means loetween the trigger and said member for moving said member against said bias when said trigger is actuated, a shutter actuating detent associated with the shutter and projecting through said aperture in the barrel, and means carried b-y said member for engaging said detent during retrograde movement of said member under the influence of said bias whereby to move the shutter to project a flash of light along the barrel.

6. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel carried by said stock, a source of light within the barrel adjacent the stock end of the barrel, said barrel being provided with an aperture in advance of the light source, a shutter pivotally mounted within the gun barrel, trigger mechanism mounted beneath said gun barrel in substantial alignment with said aperture, means for operating the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger comprising a member mounted for movement longitudinally of the barrel and positioned between Serti@ RooA the barrel and said trigger mechanism, means for biasing said member in a predetermined position, connection means between the trigger and said member for moving said member against said bias when the trigger is actuated, an abutment carried by said member, and a shutter actuating detent associated with the shutter and projecting through said aperture in the path of movement of said abutment whereby upon retrograde movement of said member under the influence of said bias the shutter is actuated to release the flash of light along the gun barrel.

7. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock, a source of light in the rear end of the barrel, said gun barrel being provided with an aperture in advance of the light, a shutterpivotally mounted within the gun barrel, trigger mechanism beneath the' gun barrel and in substantial alignment -with said aperture and means for actuating the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger including a reciprocatory member mounted above the trigger and beneath said gun barrel, means for biasing said member to a predetermined position, connection means between the trigger and said member for moving the member against said bias when said trigger is actuated, means for releasing engagement between the trigger and said member at a predetermined point in the travel of said member whereby to permit said member to return to its original position under the inuence of said bias, a shutter actuating detent associated with the shutter and projecting through said aperture, and abutment means carried by said member for engaging said detent to actuate the shutter to release a flash of light along the barrel of the gun, during the retrograde movement of said member.

8. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel, a source of light positioned in the rear end of the barrel, a shutter movable to and from light shielding position, means for biasing said shutter to light shielding position, a trigger mechanism and means for actuating the shutter in response to actuation of said trigger including a movable member positioned above the trigger and between the trigger and said shutter, means for biasing said member in predetermined position, connection means between the trigger and said member for moving the member in response to actuation of the trigger, means for releasing the engagement between the member and said trigger at a predetermined point in the path of movement of said member, abutment means carried by said member, and a shutter actuating detent carried by the shutter and projecting into the path of movement of said abutment whereby upon retrograde movement of said member said shutter is moved against its biasing means to uncover the light, continued retrograde movement of said member releasing engagement between the abutment and said detent whereby the shutter is restored to light shielding position under the influence of its bias.

9. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock, a light source positioned in the rear end of the barrel, a movable shutter positioned in advance of the light source, biasing means for maintaining said shutter in light shielding position, trigger mechanism beneath said shutter and means for actuating the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger including a member mounted above the trigger for reciprocation and tilting movement, means for biasing said member in a predetermined position, releasable connection means between the trigger and said member for moving the member in response to actuation of the trigger, means for tilting said member at a predetermined point in its movement to release its connection with the trigger to permit retrograde movement under the influence of said biasing means, an abutment carried by said member, said abutment having an inclined forward face terminating in an abrupt shoulder, a shutter actuating detent having lost motion connection With the shutter and projecting in the path of movement of said abutment, the inclined face of said abutment, on movement of said member While connected to the trigger, engaging said shutter detent to move the same relative to the shutter while maintaining the shutter in light shielding position, the abrupt shoulder of said abutment during retrograde movement of the member engaging said detent to move tli'e shutter to momentarily uncover the light and then release the same for movement to light shielding position under the inuence of its bias.

l0. In a light ray gun a gun stock, a gun barrel carried by the stock, a source of light arranged to project a beam of light along the interior of the barrel, a light shielding shutter movable to and from light shielding position, means for biasing the shutter to light shielding position, a trigger mechanism, and means for moving the shutter in response to actuation of the trigger comprising a movable member, means for` biasing said member in predetermined position, connection means between the trigger and said member for moving said member against said bias when the trigger is actuated, abutment means carried by said member, and shutter actuating means disposed in the path of said abutment whereby upon retrograde movement of said member engagement between said abutment and said shutter actuating means is effective to move the shutter to uncover the light source and then release the shutter for movement to shielding position under the influence of the shutter biasing means.

11. A light gun including a gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock, light means mounted to project a beam of light through said barrel, a shutter pivotally mounted in front of said light means, shutter biasing means for maintaining said shutter in light shielding position, trigger mechanism, means operable in response to operation of said trigger mechanism for actuating the shutter to project a beam of light through the barrel comprising a movable member, means for biasing the member to normal position, means pivoted to and actuated by said trigger mechanism for moving said movable member against said member biasing means and then releasing the same for retrograde movement under influence of said member biasing means and means operable during the retrograde movement of said member to move the shutter from light shielding position and then releasing the same to light shielding position.

12. In a light gun, a, gun stock, a barrel carried by the stock, light means mounted to project a beam of light along the barrel, a shutter movably mounted in front of the light beam, shutter biasing means for maintaining said shutter in light shielding position, trigger mechanism, and means operable in response to operation of said trigger mechanism for actuating the shutter to project a beam of light along the barrel, said means comprising a movable member, means for biasing said member to a normal position, trigger actuated means for moving said movable member against said member `biasing means, and then releasing the same for retrograde movement under the iniiuence of said member biasing means, and means operable during the retrograde movement of said member to move the shutter to uncover the light and then release the same for movement to light shielding position.

ALVA J. CARTER. 

